Rotational grazing can provide the greatest benefit for meeting the nutritional requirements of the goat herd. This management strategy will allow for regrowth of the pasture grasses while breaking the life cycle of parasites and infectious diseases. For example, during one season, a producer with six grazing units can schedule one paddock to be grazed for a two-week period or more while the other five paddocks lay fallow. After two weeks, the herd can be moved to the next paddock for two weeks and so forth. By the time the herd returns to the first paddock grazed, the grasses should have recovered and the parasites should no longer be present because they require a host to survive. Due to greater utilization, stocking rates can usually be higher and pounds produced per acre greater. This method can also provide for a longer grazing season, reducing the use of stored feeds. In Florida, three- to four-month rest periods between grazing have been shown to maximize forage production.
Resources:
• Demers, C. and R. Clausen. (2002). Managing Cattle or Timberlands: Forage Management. University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).
• McKenzie-Jakes, A. (1997). Nutritional Management for the Meat Goat Herd. Florida A&M University, Cooperative Extension Program (CESTA).
